Healthy Texas Women: Eligibility, Coverage, and How to Apply

Healthy Texas Women is a free state program that provides women’s health and family planning services to eligible low-income Texas women between the ages of 15 and 44. Run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), it covers contraception, cancer screenings, treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, and more, all at no cost through participating providers. For a single woman in 2026, the income cutoff is roughly $2,716 per month before taxes.

Who Qualifies

To enroll, you must meet all of the following at the same time:

  • Be female and between 15 and 44 years old.
  • Live in Texas and intend to stay.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or a legally admitted noncitizen who meets Medicaid eligibility standards.
  • Have countable household income at or below 204.2% of the federal poverty level.
  • Not be pregnant. Pregnant women are directed to Medicaid for Pregnant Women instead.
  • Not currently receive Medicaid, Medicare Part A or B, or CHIP benefits, and not have private health insurance that covers both family planning office visits and contraceptive drugs or devices.

That last requirement catches people off guard. If your employer’s plan covers family planning visits and contraception, you don’t qualify for HTW, even if the plan has high deductibles or gaps in other areas.1Texas Health and Human Services. Texas Works Handbook – W-910 General Policy The program exists as a safety net for women without meaningful coverage for these specific services.

Applicants ages 15 to 17 cannot apply on their own. A parent or legal guardian must submit and sign the application on their behalf.2Texas Health and Human Services. Texas Works Handbook – Healthy Texas Women (HTW)

Income Limits for 2026

The income ceiling is 204.2% of the federal poverty level, which adjusts each year.3Texas Health and Human Services. Texas Works Handbook – Healthy Texas Women (HTW) Using the 2026 poverty guidelines, the approximate monthly limits by household size are:

  • 1 person: $2,716 per month ($32,590 per year)
  • 2 people: $3,682 per month ($44,189 per year)
  • 3 people: $4,649 per month ($55,787 per year)
  • 4 people: $5,616 per month ($67,386 per year)

These figures are based on the 2026 federal poverty guidelines of $15,960 for one person, with $5,680 added for each additional household member.4U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2026 Poverty Guidelines – 48 Contiguous States HHSC counts both earned income from jobs and unearned income from sources like government benefits or investments.

What the Program Covers

HTW covers a wide range of services at no cost:

  • Contraception, including oral birth control, injections, IUDs, implants, and sterilization procedures, plus follow-up visits.
  • Pregnancy testing and counseling.
  • Cervical and breast cancer screening and diagnosis, mammograms, and treatment of cervical dysplasia.
  • Screening and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, trichomoniasis, and other sexually transmitted infections.
  • Screening and treatment for high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
  • Immunizations, including HPV, hepatitis A and B, chicken pox, MMR, Tdap, and flu.
  • Mental health screening, including postpartum depression treatment.

Elective and non-elective abortions are not covered.5Texas Health and Human Services. Healthy Texas Women – Benefits

HTW Plus for Postpartum Care

HTW Plus is an enhanced package available to enrolled women who have been pregnant within the last 12 months. It adds up to 12 months of postpartum services on top of standard HTW benefits.6Texas Health and Human Services. Healthy Texas Women Covered services target the following conditions:5Texas Health and Human Services. Healthy Texas Women – Benefits

  • Behavioral health, including individual, family, and group therapy and peer specialist services.
  • Heart and cardiovascular conditions, including imaging, blood pressure monitoring equipment, and medications for blood pressure and clotting.
  • Substance use disorders, including outpatient counseling, smoking cessation, medication-assisted treatment, and peer specialist services.
  • Diabetes care, including lab work, injectable insulin, and glucose monitoring supplies and equipment.
  • Asthma medications and supplies.

Women enrolled in HTW Plus keep access to all standard HTW benefits during that year.

How to Apply

Before you start, gather these documents:

  • Social Security numbers for yourself and every household member on the application.
  • Income verification, such as recent pay stubs or a signed letter from your employer showing gross monthly earnings, plus documentation for any other income like benefits, child support, or investment returns.
  • Proof of Texas residency, such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or valid Texas driver’s license.
  • Proof of citizenship or legal status, such as a birth certificate, U.S. passport, or immigration documents.

The application is Form H1010-B, the Healthy Texas Women Application.7Texas Health and Human Services. Texas Works Handbook – W-510 General Policy You can download it from the Texas Health and Human Services website or pick up a copy at a local benefits office. Make sure every income figure on the form matches your supporting documents. Mismatches are one of the most common reasons applications get delayed or denied.

You can submit the completed form three ways:

  • Online through YourTexasBenefits.com, which gives you a confirmation number after submission.
  • By mail to Healthy Texas Women, P.O. Box 149021, Austin, TX 78714-9021.
  • By fax to 1-877-466-2409 (toll-free).8Texas Health and Human Services. Healthy Texas Women – Contact Us

Include all supporting documents with your application; an incomplete file will slow the review. Standard processing takes about 45 days from the date HHSC receives your application.9Texas Health and Human Services. Benefits Application Next Steps You’ll get a written notice by mail, or a digital notification if you applied online, telling you whether you’re approved, denied, or whether more information is needed. If approved, you’ll receive a benefits identification card to present at appointments.

After You’re Approved

HTW benefits last 12 months. Before your year is up, HHSC sends a renewal form so you can reapply for another year.10Texas Health and Human Services. HTW Questions and Answers Don’t ignore it. If you miss the renewal window, your coverage lapses and you have to start over with a new application.

Report changes in income, household size, or insurance status promptly through your YourTexasBenefits account. Any of those factors can affect your eligibility.

If you become pregnant while enrolled, you transition to Medicaid for Pregnant Women, which covers prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum recovery. Your HTW continuous eligibility ends when you’re certified for that program.11Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership. Healthy Texas Women (HTW) Program Handbook After delivery, you may qualify for HTW Plus.

If Your Application Is Denied

If HHSC denies your application or terminates your benefits, the agency must send a written notice explaining the decision. You have 90 days from the effective date of the agency’s action to request a fair hearing, either orally or in writing.12Texas Health and Human Services. Texas Works Handbook – B-1020 Time Period for Requesting Fair Hearing A fair hearing lets you present your case to an impartial reviewer.

Common reasons for denial include income above the limit, missing documentation, or disqualifying health coverage. If the denial was a paperwork problem rather than actual ineligibility, fixing the issue and reapplying is often faster than a hearing.

If Your Coverage Ends

If you age out, your income rises above the limit, or you gain qualifying insurance, your HTW benefits end. When that happens, HHSC is required to check whether you qualify for any other Medicaid category before closing your case. If none fits, the agency transfers your account to the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.13Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Transitioning From Medicaid Job Aid

Losing HTW coverage triggers a Special Enrollment Period, giving you 60 days to sign up for a Marketplace plan through HealthCare.gov without waiting for annual open enrollment. Depending on your income, you may qualify for premium tax credits that significantly reduce the cost. Don’t let the 60-day window pass without checking your options, because the next chance to enroll won’t come until the following open enrollment period.